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Seventh Grader Tests Positive for Hepatitis After Sticking Herself with Needle at School
2002-03-26Associated Press Newswires - March 26,2002
Copyright 2002. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
GAFFNEY, S.C.
A seventh-grader has tested positive for Hepatitis C after accidentally sticking herself with a hypodermic needle at school.
The 13 year-old girl and other students were cleaning up a classroom on March 8 at Granard Middle School when the incident happened, school officials said.
After finding the needle, the student took off its protective cover, school superintendent Bill James said. As the student attempted to recap the instrument, the needle penetrated the cover and stuck one of her fingers, James said.
School officials notified the girl's mother and asked for the student to be tested.
Preliminary results show the girl tested positive for Hepatitis C. More extensive testing is scheduled, her family said.
The teacher assigned to the classroom also tested positive for Hepatitis C and was placed on administrative leave Monday.
School officials are trying to determine how the needle got into the classroom and have sent it to Upstate Carolina Medical Center for testing.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and can cause permanent damage.
